Benjamin Franklin 5c Indigo
United States · 1887 · 5c
This definitive stamp features a left-facing portrait of Benjamin Franklin, one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. The design is based on a bust by French sculptor Jean-Antoine Houdon. The stamp is printed in a deep indigo color and was part of the 1887-1888 series of definitive issues.
Issued during the Gilded Age, this stamp was a workhorse of the postal system, primarily used for paying the single-weight Universal Postal Union (UPU) international letter rate.
Printing Method
Engraved
Catalog Numbers
Estimated Values by Condition
Perfectly centered, fresh, no faults
Well centered, fresh colors
Nicely centered, minor flaws
Average centering, acceptable
Off-center or visible wear
Prices are approximate market estimates for educational purposes. Actual values depend on specific factors including cancel type, margins, and provenance.
